Hand, Foot and Mouth cases reported in Shawnee

One doctor said recent reports of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in the area should be no cause for parent concern.

Ben Luschen

One doctor said recent reports of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in the area should be no cause for parent concern.

Dr. Lori Crow, a pediatrician at St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital, said she has heard reports of a few cases in the Shawnee area in the last month.

“Personally, I’ve seen a decent number of patients who were worried because it was going through their daycare or something like that and they all ended up with it,” Crow said.

For about a week or so, Crow said she saw “nothing but” Hand, Foot and Mouth cases, but is starting to see example of the disease less frequently.

The disease, Crow said, is just a virus that causes a rash and most kids quickly get over it.

Scott Schooler, Senior Assistant Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee, said his church has worked as they always do to keep their nursery a sterile environment.

“Our nursery’s director contacted us and said there was a reported case in Shawnee,” Schooler said.

Schooler said he doesn’t believe the church’s nursery has been exposed to Hand, Foot and Mouth and even if it were, the church thoroughly cleans its childcare facilities multiple times through the week.

The church tried to make parents aware of reported cases by posting about it on their Facebook page.

“I’ve always been of the thought, ‘Let’s get the word out,’ he said. “I want to be very open.”

Hand, Foot and Mouth often spreads through daycares, schools and close contact with other children.